You notice it didn't show up here on CN and if it had, observant users could have quickly reported it. I couldn't find anything anywhere on AM for reporting the possible scam. Says a lot about the safety of the two sites. Thank you CN for the clickable text in the ads for reporting possible problems, very much appreciated!

Astromart is not involved in any transaction between any party who uses our site. There are risks that you assume when dealing with people who might be acting under false pretenses; all of these risks are borne by you. Astromart™ is a venue only and we do not screen or censor or otherwise control the classified listings offered to other Users, nor does Astromart screen or censor or otherwise control the Users of its service. Astromart cannot and does not control the behavior of the participants on this site. We cannot control whether or not Users of the Service will complete the transactions they describe on our site. IT IS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT THAT YOU USE CARE THROUGHOUT YOUR DEALINGS WITH OTHER PEOPLE ON THIS SITE!

DISPUTES & RELEASE.

If there is a dispute between participants on this site, Astromart is under no obligation to become involved. In the event that you have a dispute with one or more Users, you hereby release Astromart, its officers, employees, agents and successors in rights from claims, demands and damages (actual and consequential) of every kind or nature, known or unknown, suspected and unsuspected, disclosed and undisclosed, arising out of or in any way related to such disputes and/or our service.

So, other than posting on their forum to warn others (who read the forum), seems there's no recourse.

Several months ago I fell for a Mewlon 210 ad under similar circumstances and was out $2000 for several weeks until the dispute resolution process finally completed. It was really truly terrible to go through. I would be willing to bet it's the exact same person.

Even Ebay has them. I just try to make sure I pay with a credit card through Paypal so I have two lines of protection.

BTW, scamming goes in the other direction too. I have seen buyers scam sellers by abusing the dispute resolution process and there's absolutely nothing one can do about it either. It makes me afraid to accept Paypal for more expensive items. I would much rather drive a couple hundred miles so the buyer can physically examine everything first and I get paid in cash. I feel so badly for the seller who accepted a return for a refund on a 130mm AP only to get an 80mm achromat back. PP sided on the buyer's side because he had a tracking number showing it was delivered back to the seller. He filed police reports in both states, contacted the FBI, etc. and Paypal refused to listen to him. How in the heck do you protect yourself against that?

Apparently a few grifters have heard about the demand for APO refractors. Only costs $15 to get an Astromart account. Learn the brands ... the prices ... make a scam offer below normal market prices ... bam.

Sounds like I dodged a bullet on this one! I really set myself up for the shoot-down here - Out for a walk, teeth chattering in the cold, attention split between the phone and the dog, it's dark out, no reading glasses with me.

I have never had a scam issue before, and I have gotten some interesting items by just a minute over the next buyer. (And I have frequently finished second place by just a minute!)

Lesson learned. I'll just have to slow things down a bit and check out the sellers instead of firing out the immediate "I'll buy it" email.

Apparently a few grifters have heard about the demand for APO refractors. Only costs $15 to get an Astromart account. Learn the brands ... the prices ... make a scam offer below normal market prices ... bam.

Sounds like I dodged a bullet on this one! I really set myself up for the shoot-down here - Out for a walk, teeth chattering in the cold, attention split between the phone and the dog, it's dark out, no reading glasses with me.

I have never had a scam issue before, and I have gotten some interesting items by just a minute over the next buyer. (And I have frequently finished second place by just a minute!)

Lesson learned. I'll just have to slow things down a bit and check out the sellers instead of firing out the immediate "I'll buy it" email.

It is ALL about the buyer/seller and their history and provenance. Those cannott be faked.

Even Ebay has them. I just try to make sure I pay with a credit card through Paypal so I have two lines of protection.

BTW, scamming goes in the other direction too. I have seen buyers scam sellers by abusing the dispute resolution process and there's absolutely nothing one can do about it either. It makes me afraid to accept Paypal for more expensive items. I would much rather drive a couple hundred miles so the buyer can physically examine everything first and I get paid in cash. I feel so badly for the seller who accepted a return for a refund on a 130mm AP only to get an 80mm achromat back. PP sided on the buyer's side because he had a tracking number showing it was delivered back to the seller. He filed police reports in both states, contacted the FBI, etc. and Paypal refused to listen to him. How in the heck do you protect yourself against that?

Paying or get payed in cash on site carries various risks. Ratings and sales history should help weeding out scammers. Another scam might be to give additional discounts asking for good ratings as a newer seller. Personally I've been lucky sending a $ amount to the middle of Texas to obtain a wonderful Vixen ED115S. Seller had great ratings, I had had none at the time. Stay save CS Pete

AstroMart is as vigilant as CN. The CN TOS is about on par with AM and in writing states:

" It is up to sellers and buyers to perform due diligence with regard to whether the author or licensor deems such works to be transferable to another owner. Cloudy Nights will not get involved or intervene in any disputes that arise between any participants involved in transactions that occur through the use of this venue. “Buyer beware” and “seller beware” should always be kept in mind when entering into transactions when using this venue."

AstroMart lacks the forum that provides the feedback loop to validate ads of this nature. By proxy, cause we are all looking for the next best deal, we do that feedback for AM here on this site. Which makes this a great place to come for this hobby!

When I joined Astromart (2001?) they required a credit card. People with a valid credit card are safer bets than people without credit cards. At least a credit card company has decided you are worth the risk. And your address has been established.

Even Ebay has them. I just try to make sure I pay with a credit card through Paypal so I have two lines of protection.

BTW, scamming goes in the other direction too. I have seen buyers scam sellers by abusing the dispute resolution process and there's absolutely nothing one can do about it either. It makes me afraid to accept Paypal for more expensive items. I would much rather drive a couple hundred miles so the buyer can physically examine everything first and I get paid in cash. I feel so badly for the seller who accepted a return for a refund on a 130mm AP only to get an 80mm achromat back. PP sided on the buyer's side because he had a tracking number showing it was delivered back to the seller. He filed police reports in both states, contacted the FBI, etc. and Paypal refused to listen to him. How in the heck do you protect yourself against that?

Yep. I got smoked by a buyer. On day 29 of purchase he sent extreme closeups of "damage". It was impossible to even see if that was the camera lens i shipped. PP sided with him. Rather than receiving a rock back, I refunded half of the price.